Chinese journalist Shi Tao released from prison!

Chinese journalist Shi Tao released from prison!

Journalist Shi Tao was released on August 23, 2013 after more than eight years in prison. Amnesty International supporters had long campaigned for his freedom.

Shi Tao was sentenced in 2005 to 10 years in prison for sending an email to a US-based website. His email summarized a communiqué from the Chinese Central Propaganda Department telling journalists how they should handle the 15th anniversary of the crackdown on the 1989 pro-democracy movement. The Chinese authorities accused him of “illegally providing state secrets to foreign entities”.

Following his release, Shi Tao told Amnesty that his life is getting back to normal. He is recovering and resting, and many friends have visited him. Shi Tao expressed his thanks to Amnesty supporters: “I am sincerely grateful to your sustained support and attention to my mother and me over these years. The support and encouragement of friends from around the world have helped my mother and me through the difficult and lonely times.”

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